The 7 Best Family Walt Disney World’s Character Dining Experiences

*This 7 Best Family Walt Disney Disney World’s Character Dining Experiences article is written in part for EZ Dis Instant Impressions Travel Specialists. But all Disney World Character Dining opinions here are expressly my own.

Let’s face it when you have young kids going to Walt Disney World is all about the characters.

I mean at Disney World no matter which way you turn, you are most likely going to run into characters. And most kids wouldn’t have it any other way.

When in Disney not only can you get photographs with these Disney characters. But you also can get them to sign Disney themed autograph books, too.

See you can most certainly find characters at all four Walt Disney World theme parks. Plus, there are even some characters at the Disney World themed resorts. This often requires standing on long lines to greet and meet said Disney characters.

But you can also book certain dining experiences where you are guaranteed to interact during the said dining experience. Here you get to relax, eat and meet many of the characters at a more leisurely pace. You take pictures and also get autographs, too. But again this I have found to be an easier way to meet Disney characters, especially with young children in tow.

**Take note that in Walt Disney World, you can either pay for dining as you go or take a Dining Plan. Find out more about Disney Dining Plans available HERE. Most below require at least the Disney Dining Plan. Plus all seven character dining experiences shared in this article, require advanced reservations. Look below for further help with booking these dining reservations in advance.

Check out our list of best Walt Disney World’s character dining:

See with young girls, Disney princesses are usually a hit. Located inside Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, here not only do you get to meet multiple Disney princesses.

Hands Down Both Girls Agree The Bibbiti Bobbiti Boutique and Dining at Cinderella’s Castle was there most favorite part of Disney

But you also get to dine in Cinderella’s castle which overlooks all of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The views alone are worth it.

Trust me when I say you won’t be disappointed. But take note, if you are on the meal plan this requires two table service dining credits. And if you are booking without a dining plan, you must pre-pay for this dining reservation.

For those who are fans of Beauty and the Beast, this dining experience is for you.Located inside the Beast’s castle, you can dine in a few of the different rooms inside his castle, including the ballroom.

Plus, you can even dine in the Rose Gallery West Wing. This is where you will find the Enchanted Rose.

It is also a bit on the darker side. So take note though for small children. And what character dining would be complete without the actual meeting. Here you get to meet with The Beast himself (only at dinner time).

Plus, I have to make a special mention – Try the Grey Stuff! Seriously you won’t be disappointed!

A side note, this dining experience recently changed (July 28th) from one dining credit to a two-credit dining reservation similar to Cinderella’s Royal Table. So I also highly recommend getting there before this if this may be an issue for some. Plus, aside is that you only need a reservation for dinner, because breakfast and lunch are fast food. So, this is an inexpensive way to see Beast’s Castle but not meet Beast.

This is also in Walt Disney World’s The Magic Kingdom. But this happens to be buffet style one credit table service dining. They truly have a very varied menu and I have found there is something for everyone here.

And as for characters, it is here you can meet Winnie the Pooh and friends.

Watch out for that silly Tigger who will most certainly tease and entertain. And don’t miss the character parade.

If you happen to be in Walt Disney World’s Epcot and still have princess lovers, then Akershus is the place to be. Tucked in Norway in the World Showcase, here you can dine with many varied princesses.

The food by far is some of the best in Walt Disney World in my opinion for one table service credit. And not only do kids meet the princesses. But they can also parade around the banquet hall with them.

Now, we head over to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. At Tusker House, with one table service credit, you are entitled to a safari type buffet meal. Plus, you can meet and interact with Safari dressed Donald Duck and friends.

If you aren’t in the parks for the day, then Chef Mickey’s is a great place to still meet characters. This restaurant is in the Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort. This one utilizes one table service credit for a character buffet experience.

While the buffet is like most buffets, this is one for all Mickey and friends lovers. Here you can meet, Mickey Mouse and friends without paying for park admission for the day.

Also, one of my favorite restaurants by far in all of Disney for both breakfast and dinner happens to be ‘Ohana. This restaurant is located at Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort worth one table service credit.

So once again can meet characters without the cost of park admissions if this is an issue. A special side note, you can only meet characters here for breakfast. But seriously this happens to be one of the best breakfast meals in all of Walt Disney World. Plus, did you know that ‘Ohana means family? So, what better place to take your family to dine than the restaurant that is named specifically after “family”.

Served family style, the scrambled eggs by far are one of my own personal favorites and recommendations. As for the characters, here you get to meet Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. Even though they are involved during the actual meal time.

You can meet, photo and get autographs out of the way before sitting down to eat. As you line up beforehand to meet with the two Disney movie-themed characters. Plus, the kid’s parade is one of the best in all of Walt Disney World.

There you have 7 of the best Walt Disney World Character Dining experiences for all families.

And when in Walt Disney World, meeting any and all Disney characters a favorite at Disney is to wear Minnie and/or Mickey Ears by many.

So what better way to get prepared for Walt Disney World character dining than by entering to win a pair of Disney Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Ears.

These Rose Gold Minnie Mouse ears are brand new and coveted by Disney fans.

Right now, we are giving a FREE pair away thanks in part to EZ Dis Instant Travel Specialists. Plus if you are in need of Disney Trip planning, especially dining reservations, EZ Dis Instant Travel Specialists are the people to work with on this. Because their no-fee concierge services include the making of dining reservations. See once again all of the above dining requires reservations. Therefore, EZ Diz Instant Travel Specialists helps with this and more. **You can help me out by entering code COM18 in the referred by field when you ask for a quote, which we will give free autograph books to all children (on packages) with the code.

Now enter to win 1 Pair of Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Ears with the Rafflecopter below:

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

I agree Chef Mickey is a great restaurant to go to when you aren’t possibly doing a park for the day as it is a great way to meet Mickey and characters outside of the parks. And got my fingers crossed for you with the giveaway, as well. And yay to finding similar at Charming Charlie’s, too 🙂

I’ll take your word for all of this since I doubt I’ll ever get there to visit. All that matters is those girls of yours and how much fun they have with mom and dad. Those smiles on their faces say it all.

I am absolutely entering this giveaway! I am torn between which is my favorite with Mary Poppins and Crystal Palace pretty much tied for first place in my heart! I’ve never had a bad character dining experience in Disney so I think they are all amazing. Thank you for putting this awesome list together!

This is great! You know so much about Disney. I need to go and spend a few days there to try all these cool restaurants and experiences. Love all the photos – the girls (and you and Kevin) will remember these trips forever.

Those Ears the best! I actually own a pair, along with quite a few others, but this is one of my favorite. I have been to all the dining experiences, but most of these I’ve eaten at. No matter where you eat, it’ll be an experience for sure!

My friend, you are the curator of all things Disney! Hehe. Love it! And your little ones just look like they are “eating it all up!” haha.
Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast…what fun! You’re going back later this year, yes? I hope you get commissions from Disney because you sure are a wonderful cheerleader for them. 🙂
Sending you big hugs and wishes for a wonderful week! xoxo

Aw, thanks, my sweet friend. And yes we are most definitely going back later this year for all things Christmas and my younger daughter’s birthday, too. Cannot wait and am actively planning that trip pretty much daily here. As for working for Disney, right now I am working with the travel agent listed here. But would always be open to working more hands-on with Disney if the opportunity presents itself. Wishing you also an absolutely wonderful and magical week ahead now, too xoxo <3

We are BIG, BIG FANS of Disney Character Dining! Why wait in line when you can have them greet you at your table? Totally agree with all your comments on this posts.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Disney Dining. You will have to check out the character breakfast at Beach club. It is one of our favorites.

WOW WOW WOW, Janine! These all sound like SO MUCH FUN! I’m sure your girls loved every single restaurant experience and the pics with their smiles say it all. Reading this post makes me want to go to Disney with my kids. It looks like a trip of a lifetime and the memories will last forever.

I’m SO glad your family had such an incredible time with all the fun Disney dining adventures!